Events

Planting the Future Conference - Herb Pharm in Glorious Williams, OR

By Sara Katz & Lynda LeMole

Herb Pharm was this year’s host of United Plant Saver's 2007 conference -- "Planting the Future." On Saturday, July 14th, 300 plant lovers convened on the Herb Pharm farm for an energized, information-filled, glorious day of herb classes, herb walks, and joining together to celebrate the power and magic of herbal medicine. The fundraiser was successful, thanks to the generosity of Sara Katz and Ed Smith ~ Herb Pharm’s owners ~ and the many teachers and friends who contributed their time and energy to United Plant Savers, working to protect wild medicinal plants in the U.S. and Canada.

“Herb Pharm’s farm is the quintessential location for an herb conference, and United Plant Savers is the ideal organization for us to host a benefit conference for,” said Sara Katz, Herb Pharm’s co-owner and founder.

Classes took place infused in herbal settings, such as the wisteria-covered pergola in the center of the Education Garden, and at the top of a waterfall that flows into a lily pond and then meanders along beds of medicinal herbs. On their way between classes, attendees walked through fields of echinacea, calendula, meadowsweet, black cohosh, goldenseal, and about 40 other certified organic herbal crops growing on the farm. They also could stop by the vendor area where festive booths were selling everything herbal including plants, essential oil blends, bath salts, Maca drinks, and herbal wine. It was a day of being ‘infused” with herb plants and information.
The 90-minute classes covered a variety of topics. Some of the titles include:
· Oregon Grape: Following a Medicine Through Time
· Why Herbs Don't Work: Exorcising Mainstream Terminology from Herbal Medicine
· Enhancing Sexual Health
· Angel Food & Devil's Dung: Medicinal Herbs on the Fringe of Science & Romance
· Alien Invasion and the Colonization of Nature
· Medicinal Fruits & Berries: Delicious, Edible Tonics & Medicines
· Backyard “Farmacy”: Growing Your Own Medicine for What Ails You
· NW Natives - Who are They and What is Their Medicine
· The Art of Bathing
· Women's Health Botanical Update- What's New in the Research
· Sustainable Herb Harvest in Far Flung Places
· Regulatory Actions, Enacted or Pending, Affecting Herbs - an Open Forum
· Sustainable/Community Herbalism
· Growing Medicinals and at Risk Plants

Teachers included some of the most renowned herbalists in North America who came to give presentations or lead herb walks: Cascade Anderson-Geller, Trinity Ava, Richo Cech, Bevin Clare, Robin DiPasquale, N.D., Steven Foster, Dr. Deborah Frances, R.N., N.D., Mindy Green, Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D., James Jungwirth, Kathi Keville, Ed Smith, David Theodoropoulos, Jonathan Treasure, and Mark Wheeler.

On Sunday, Steven Foster gave a morning workshop, “Focus on Herbs – Getting Great Plant Photos with the Equipment You Have”. A dozen very pleased camera buffs emerged from hours in the gardens with new photos and knowledge about plant photography.

Lynda LeMole, Executive Director of United Plant Savers, summed up the day by saying, “The plants are humming, the people are smiling and we had an absolutely wonderful conference. The plants reward us so much, and this is such a great way for us to give back to them.”

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Planting the Future Conference - Tai Sophia Institute, Laurel, Maryland
May 17, 2008
By Betzy Bancroft

What a beautiful day! It had been raining non-stop in Maryland for weeks, but the shining sun and a hawk gliding overhead graced our opening circle and promised a truly glorious day for everyone. UpS events always have an especially happy feeling to them, full of appreciation for our green friends and care for their well-being.

One of the most highly respected schools of herbal medicine and acupuncture, Tai Sophia Institute was an ideal place for a Planting the Future conference. Herb walks were held in the beautiful herb garden and abundant ‘weed patches’, and some classes were held in the sunshine in grassy areas. In the classrooms, several teachers showed gorgeous PowerPoint presentations, especially gardener Helen Metzman’s class on Gardening with Native Medicinal Plants. Mary Bove had much of her Herbal Cordials class picking flowers and cutting up fruits, designing new blends and happily sipping her own creations. The entire Tai Sophia community was enormously supportive and made our conference flow very smoothly, for which we are deeply grateful.

Many of the teachers have generously donated their time and travel to participate in several UpS events, including Board of Directors member Bevin Clare, Advisory Board members Deb Soule and Rebecca Wood, and tireless plant-lovers Kathleen Maier and Kate Gilday. Participants enjoyed a wide variety of classes on herb cultivation and conservation, sustainable use of herbal medicine and more!

UpS is also very grateful for the support of our Sponsors – David’s Natural Market, My Organic Market and Roots Market. Another ‘Raffle for the Plants’ was terrifically successful, with an incredible variety of great prizes generously donated by UpS Corporate members and conference teachers. Great thanks also to the student volunteers who also contributed so much to the success of this event! We hope to see all of you at the Talking Forest Project Grand Opening next spring!